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Tag: lashes

  • Buhari lashes PDP again over poor infrastructure

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that it was sad that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) allowed the country’s infrastructure to rot completely when there were enormous resources at Nigeria’s disposal between 1999 and 2014.

    Speaking while receiving the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, the President said: “Our focus now is on infrastructure; roads, rail, power and others.

    “How I wish we had fixed all those when we had money. What we earned between 1999 and 2014 is on record, but nothing was done to infrastructure.

    “Now, we are doing a lot more, with a lot less resources. And we shall continue to do our best.”

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, hailed the outgoing High Commissioner for his warm and pleasant disposition, which has seen him traversing almost the entire country.

    “I always see you all over the place,” the President noted.

    Arkwright, who spent over three years in Nigeria, said he visited 30 of the 36 states and found the people quite enterprising and engaging.

    He added that the British government would be glad to offer a helping hand as required in any part of the country.

    He thanked President Buhari for his support, adding that the relations between Britain and Nigeria have improved tremendously in the past three years.

    Buhari also said yesterday that Nigeria’s democracy is steadily improving with deeper understanding of the culture and tenets among the people and strengthening of the institutions that guarantee free and fair elections.

    The President, who spoke while receiving Governor-General of Canada Julie Payette at the Presidential Villa, said he saw the evolving strength of democracy in the country by contesting for elections three times before winning at the fourth trial in 2015.

    Read also: Buhari towers above Obasanjo, Atiku in integrity, says APC spokesman

    Buhari, in another statement by Adesina, told the Governor General that Nigeria had been learning from the mistakes of those who practiced democracy for a longer period and by looking inward at its own peculiarities.

    “I emphasise free and fair elections at all times,” he said.

    The President said the bilateral relations with Canada would continue to be improved on considering the huge interest of the country in Nigeria and growing economic ties, with many Nigerians schooling and working in the Commonwealth country.

    He said Canada played a brotherly role in helping displaced persons in the Northeast, following Boko Haram insurgency.

    The Governor General said Nigeria and Canada enjoyed a warm and strong partnership that has translated into ease of migration, large trade relations and cultural exchanges.

    Payette, who is an astronaut, said it was important for nations to pool resources together to start exploring the benefits of space in providing solutions to some problems on earth.

    The Governor General noted that the world would achieve more by de-emphasising geographical differences and refocusing its energy on the commonality of humanity.

    She noted that from space, one can only see an earth without borders.

    Rt. Hon. Payette said her visit was about showcasing “youth, innovation and technology”, adding that Canada would like to partner with Nigeria in the ongoing diversification of the economy.

    “We wish you free and credible elections in 2019,” she said.

    Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, she stated that the two countries have resolved to deepen bilateral relation in the areas of trade and commerce, education, security, science and space technology advancement.

    Payette, who is accompanied on the visit by eminent Canadians, including government officials, members of parliament and members of the business sector, noted that Nigeria and Canada had been friends and partners for decades.

  • Three to receive six lashes for loitering

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has ordered that three men be given six lashes of cane each for loitering at Hill Top Garden, Abuja.

    Daniel Lucky, Aliyu Ahmed and Badiru Lawal were arraigned for constituting nuisance at a black spot.

    The Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, warned them to desist from crime.

    Abubakar imposed the punishment following admission of guilt by the trio, who, however, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and promised to be of good behaviour.

    They claimed their action resulted from bad peer influence.

    The prosecutor, Florence Avhioboh, had told the court that a police patrol team in Utako, Abuja, led by CSP. Jimoh Gbende, arrested the men on September 30.

    “They were caught at a black spot at Hill Top Garden, opposite Wuse Market.

    Avhioboh said the men had been warned in the past by the police to stop loitering there.

    “During police investigation, they could not give satisfactory answers to what they were doing at the black spot.”

    She told the court that the offence was punishable under Section 199 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Minimum wage: NLC lashes governors

    Minimum wage: NLC lashes governors

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said  governors have declared a war on workers by saying that it was longer sustainable to pay the N18,000 national minimum wage.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the declaration by the governors was an attempt to frustrate efforts by the organised labour to table a proposal for a review of the minimum wage, which was signed in 2011.

    But the congress said it was prepared to fight any attempt to frustrate improved workers’ welfare.

    Wabba said although the NLC wanted a higher wage of N52,000, labour was forced to accept the N18,000 minimum wage after two years of negotiation.

    The NLC president argued that the ability to pay minimum wage was not the problem of the economy, but the large sums of money taken away as wages by political office holders and their aides.

    Wabba said: “The governors cannot, therefore, want Nigerians to take them seriously by their present claim that the current national minimum wage was ‘imposed’ on them.

    “For us in the NLC, we know as a fact that ability to pay minimum wages is not the problem of the economy. What is the problem for states and other tiers of government is the amount of many political office holders and their unproductive aides take away as wages.

    “For the private sector, the creed to accumulate more and more profit is also always a motivating factor to keep wages down. Similarly, we have been in the forefront of campaigning that the cost of governance at all levels need to be drastically cut down, to free enough resources for development.

    “The hundreds of billions of Naira our public office holders continue to filter away in the name of governance are what are not sustainable. For instance, the annual cost to the public purse of governors security votes, which is an unaccountable drain on the public resources, is worth several thousands of minimum wages per state.

    “Secondly, Nigerians who have the means to travel by air would recall that in the last six – 10 years, majority, if not all our governors, no longer use commercial airline regular flights as a means of transportation from one place to another.  They now have ‘official’ aircrafts and helicopters, which they maintain at huge costs to the state treasury.

    “Their less ‘fortunate’ counterparts charter aircrafts and helicopters at millions of Naira cost to taxpayers to attend any manner of functions from marriages to child naming ceremonies.

    “States are in the poor financial state they are in largely on the developmental choices they have made; largely on the basis of priorities they have chosen which has nothing to do with the public good.”

    He added that as early as last May, the NLC gave notice that the N18,000 minimum wage was due for review and that workers would be submitting a new proposal once the incoming government settled down.

    “With the recent devaluation of the Naira, the attendant increase in inflation and cost of living, even without the last minimum wage Act reaching the mandatory five years when it is due for review, we would have been justified to request for review.

    “Now, the five years is here – we are at the end of 2015, and with the cost of living being so high, we will soon table our new minimum wage demand to the Federal Government.

    “If the recent statement by the governors forum is intended to manoeuvre them away from addressing these imperatives, then it is bound to fail as we are ready to do battle to raise the living standard of the Nigerian working people,” Wabba said.

  • Five rules of luscious lashes

    Five rules of luscious lashes

    During this sticky, humid time of the year the last thing we want are globs of makeup, but long, luscious lashes; those are a year-round necessity. Follow these five rules to get perfect eyelashes without having to revert to time-consuming falsies or expensive extensions.

     

    1. Eyelash curlers are essential.

    Sonia Kashuk, makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, swears by lash curlers as the key to giving lashes that “wow” factor. “Be sure to choose one that creates a beautiful upward curl, and with a delicate pumping motion, move from the lash base upward for maximum results.” And always curl before applying mascara, not after. When bare, “The eyelashes are suppler so the crimping of the lash doesn’t feel as damaging,” Kashuk explains.

     

    2. Let lashes set between layers of mascara.

    Practice a little patience between each coat. “Giving a little bit of air time between each coat will allow the mascara to set and build upon each layer instead of gooping up as one big clump,” Kashuk says. One of our new favourite non-clumping mascaras is Topshop false lash Mascara. The formula adds volume while the wand combs and separates.

     

    3. Prevent “spider lashes” with a lash comb.

    Avoid spidery clumps by combing lashes after applying mascara. “A metal-toothed lash comb is key; apply a coat, wait a few seconds, brush through eyelashes, and then apply the next coat.

     

    4. Don’t layer different mascaras.

    “I wouldn’t recommend this, as some formulas will not mix well and end up clumping,” Kashuk says. However, some mixing and matching does work. If there’s a wand, you prefer over another, clean it off and use with your favourite formula or as a lash comb.

     

    5. Condition and treat your lashes daily.

    Just like your hair, your lashes need a little TLC.

  • IBB lashes First Lady, Fayose, Fani-Kayode for hate campaigns

    IBB lashes First Lady, Fayose, Fani-Kayode for hate campaigns

    Hate campaigners got a bloody nose yesterday. Former President Ibrahim Babangida protested against attacks by President Goodluck Jonathan’s supporters on his person and others.

    He cited other generals under attack as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the late ex-Head of State Gen, Sani Abacha, ex-Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and a former Minister of Defence, Gen. T.Y Danjuma.

    Although Babangida did not mention names, First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council spokesperson, Femi Fani-Kayode, have been criticised by many for championing hate campaign.

    He said those promoting hate documentaries are “intellectually delinquent or they suffer memory loss”.

    He said nothing forbade former military leaders from contesting presidential elections, adding that leadership training is better grounded in the military than any other profession.

    Gen. Babangida, in a statement he personally signed and released by his media office, said the stigmatisation of past military leaders accounted for “espirit de corps amongst ourselves in support of our military institution and colleagues when the stakes are high”.

    The statement said: “In clear attempts to whip up support for President Goodluck Jonathan, certain persons, groups and individuals have embarked on several campaigns of calumny against former military Heads of State and presidents who have had the opportunity to govern this country.

    “Of particular reference is a one-hour documentary aired on Silverbird Television on Tuesday night; 24th March, 2015 that deliberately impugned the integrity of Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, my humble self; Ibrahim Babangida, the late Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and T.Y. Danjuma; all of whom have had the privilege of presiding over the affairs of this great country at various levels.

    “It is either that those promoting the hate documentary are intellectually delinquent or they suffer memory loss; or a combination of both.

    “I have my very strong reservations about the contents and thematic focus of the said documentary. Apart from promoting hate campaign which clearly undermines the modest contributions of these former presidents, the commentaries in the documentary against the former presidents leave a sour taste in the mouth.

    “Nobody is stopping anyone from campaigning for their preferred candidates contesting various positions in the elections, but to do that at the expense of the reputation, contributions, patriotism, loyalty and sacrifice of former presidents to the Nigerian state is, to say the least, immature.”

    The ex-Military President said nothing forbids ex-military leaders from contesting presidential election.

    The statement said: “The military is at present combating the dreaded Boko Haram sect to restore Nigeria’s territorial integrity. What law under a democracy forbids retired military personnel from participating in politics and presenting themselves for election? Over 90 per cent of American Presidents have military background.

    “Leadership training is better grounded in the military than any other profession. And the military parades some of the best brains in any country, including Nigeria.

    “In fact, some of my military students that I tutored have Doctorate Degrees.

    “It is, therefore, callous, wicked, out-of-sync, cynical and a show of crass ignorance for anyone to undermine the military institution by embarking on mudslinging campaigns against former presidents and leaders with military background.

    “While those campaigners are pointing their accusing fingers at us, they forget to recall that the present Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation is actually a retired military officer.

    “It is this form of demonisation and stigmatisation that often compels us to exhibit esprit de corps amongst ourselves in support of our military institution and colleagues when the stakes are high.

    “As disciplined military officers, we are patriotic Nigerians and must be treated with utmost respect and decorum.”

    He said irrespective of any insinuations against the military, he remains proud of the institution.

    Gen. Babangida said: “The military is an institution that is so dear to my heart. It is an institution that nurtured my growing up and my achievements in life. I am not only sold to the military institution and by extension the Nigerian state, I am betrothed to it.

    “As a profession, retirees are bound to participate in politics and democracy as an all-inclusive process, same way that doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, and civil servants get involved in it. It is the reason why I ventured into politics in 2003 before I quit in 2010. It is the same reason why General Obasanjo participated and got elected; and now General Buhari.

    “It is therefore very curious that promoters of President Goodluck Jonathan’s aspiration would attempt to demonise and stigmatise former military leaders and cast aspersions on them in order to malign their reputation. This is very unfair.

    “Fact is; the military fought a civil war to keep this country together. What I suffer today is a consequence of the injuries I sustained during the Nigeria Civil War. I am not sure there is any patriotism that is more than that. Some of us were prepared to die for the country.”

    Babangida reminded pro-Jonathan campaigners that the idea behind the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) started in his home.

    He said those parading themselves as democrats today had all participated in military governments

    The statement added: “For record purposes, and without sounding immodest, the idea of a PDP that has now become the ‘largest party in Africa’ started in my home, here in Minna.

    “With the support of my fellow colleagues, we prepared the way for this democratic process that has now led us to where we are presently.

    “We built the democratic infrastructure and architecture. Those who are parading themselves as democrats today, all participated in military governments.”

    Gen. Babangida explained why he decided to be silent.

  • Lamido lashes Jonathan over missing $20b, National Conference

    Lamido lashes Jonathan over missing $20b, National Conference

    Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido lashed out at the Jonathan administration for what he called its failure to address Nigeria’s ills.

    He described the leadership as “totally disconnected with the people”, saying “all its policies are formulated in parallel with the needs, plight and interest of the common man and the country.”

    Lamido also condemned the National Conference, the government approach to the Boko Haram killings and abandonment of projects in his state, among others.

    He spoke in Dutse, the state capital, at the weekend while receiving a delegation of the Bank of Agriculture. It was led by Managing Director Dr. Falalu Santuraki.

    The delegation, which praised Lamido’s support for agriculture, proposed a N1billion minimal interest loan to support irrigation for farmers at the Hadejia Valley, with minimal interest.

    Lamido lamented that the Auyo irrigation scheme was abandoned for over 30 years by the Federal Government. He expressed regret that the promises made by President Jonathan to release N10 billion for the project and the reassurance by Vice President Namadi Sambo when he visited three years ago had not been fulfilled.

    He also said the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri federal road, which was started more than eight years ago, remained uncompleted. He described this as a manifestation of lack of seriousness from the leaders.

    Lamido accused the President of gathering elders and respectable nationals to be embarrassing themselves in the name of national conference.

    He said: “Some comments and statements from some delegates to the conference is disappointing and a threat to the unity of the nation.”

    “It is unfortunate that our last line of hope, which comprises the emirs, clerics and elder statesmen, has been assembled somewhere and are busy insulting one another in the name of national conference. Believe me, if the situation continues, our nation’s unity is in danger,” he said.

    The governor added: “If the PDP or APC members of the House of Assembly abuse one another, it is understandable because it is democracy for one party to challenge another.”

    Lamido noted also that the administration is full of deceit and lackadaisical attitude to people’s needs and interests. “It is quite unfortunate that today in Nigeria, hundreds of innocent people are killed, like chicken on a daily basis for no just reason and nobody cared to talk about it.”

    His words: “It is only in Nigeria that $20billion would be declared missing from the public treasury, but no one cared to talk about it because leaders can dare any huge consequences in bargaining and securing their political interests.

    “The leadership in this country is totally disconnected from the people. All its policies are formulated in parallel with the needs, plight and interest of the common man and the country”.

    “The masses are today living in agony due to high level of injustice, denial, imposition, abuse of office ensured by the tyranny of bad leadership.”

  • NFF lashes out Amiesimaka

    NFF lashes out Amiesimaka

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has carpeted former international player, Adokiye Amiesimaka, over his vituperations in a national newspaper of Wednesday, April 17, to the effect that the Football House is working against Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.

    Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, declared without mincing words that Amiesimaka’s statements were no more than mere amplification of beer-parlour rumours and sheer concoctions, and therefore unfortunate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Football Federation and Coach Stephen Keshi are working assidously to see that Nigeria qualifies for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, and we have no doubt that we are on course to get the ticket,” Inyama said.

    “A few days ago, Keshi himself issued a statement to say he is not resigning and that he is working together with the NFF to realise his targets and fulfil his mission.

    “We have said it several times that we do not plan to hire an expatriate Coach. That is not in our plans for now. We are sticking by Keshi as we have done since November 2, 2011 when we signed a contract with him. We believed in Keshi and have given him all the necessary support and encouragement to succeed, and will continue to do so.”

    The NFF Executive Committee member noted that the present administration is the first to stick to indigenous Coaches for all the National Teams, for which it has received praise severally at home and abroad.

    “For someone like Amiesimaka to claim that the NFF is not happy that Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations is odious. Very disappointing. The NFF shares in the glory of the triumph as much as Keshi,” he added.

    Inyama dismissed Amiesimaka’s rantings about the NFF’s decision to audit staff of the National Teams, especially backroom staff.

    “The former player should tell us how many backroom staff were in the Senior National Team when he was playing. It is beneath an Amiesimaka to state that NFF is envious of coaches and backroom staff that it employed. That is unbelievably cheap.

    “The NFF has decided to downsize in several areas in order to be able to meet our obligations of presenting the National Teams for international competitions. We do not owe any of the coaches or backroom staff any apology over this. There is no going back on this, no matter the amount of blackmail.

    “How much were Coaches earning when Amiesimaka was playing? Today, Mr. Keshi is on N5million-a-month salary. Apart from the huge pay for the coaches, we also need to service actual development of the game.”

    Inyama made it clear that the NFF is resolved to ensuring better results at international level for all the National Teams.

    “We are downsizing for a very good reason. Funds are not unlimited and we have to do what is sensible to be able to forge ahead, positively. Unlike the likes of Amiesimaka, the NFF believes in the Super Eagles and knows the team will do Nigeria proud at the FIFA Confederations Cup and also qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

    “That is why we are sending the team to Germany to prepare for the big challenges of the summer, and have also arranged a quality friendly match with Concacaf champions Mexico.

    “Let me also disclose that we are sending the Flying Eagles to camp in Germany and play in the Toulon Youth Tournament ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. All other National Teams will continue to receive benefit of good preparation for major tournaments, irrespective of malicious and mischievous claims by people like Adokiye.”

    The NFF chieftain also declared that those moaning about the employment of a National Technical Director in the face of financial squeeze are only advertising their ignorance.

    “It has become very important to state, once again, that the money to pay the National Technical Director will come directly from FIFA. NFF would not be dipping into its lean resources to pay the NTD,” he concluded.

  • Kaduna governor lashes commissioners

    Kaduna governor lashes commissioners

    Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero yesterday lashed out at members of the Executive Council, who he said never respected him as deputy to the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

    But, to the widow of the late governor, he expressed love and compassion, saying she should call on him anytime the family is in need.

    “The government will do everything possible to ensure that the Yakowa family is comfortable,” Yero said.

    The governor, who spoke at a valedictory Executive Council meeting in honour of the late Yakowa, expressed disappointment that the commissioners never regarded him and left him to be on his own as the deputy governor.

    Yero said he was also disappointed at the way some of the Commissioners and members of the executive council blackmailed him before Yakowa.

    According to him, before he was appointed deputy governor, the late Yakowa showed him a list of six people contesting for the position and asked for his advice on who to pick.

    “I told him to allow the spirit of God in him lead him to picking somebody and he thanked me and I left,” Yero said, adding that the late Yakowa once told him that some people had asked him (Yakowa) to remove him as deputy governor.

    He said that some people, including commissioners and civil servants also went to the late Yakowa to blackmail him. He thanked God that he had resolved whatever differences they had.

    Yero said two weeks ago, he and the late Yakowa ironed out their grievances and resolved to work together for the development of the state.

    “I told him that I was closer to him as Commissioner for Finance than as deputy governor and that it was not supposed to be so,” Yero said.

    Assembly Speaker Muazu Usman Gangara, who was also present alongside some members of the Assembly, described the late Yakowa as a very good man who never intruded in the affairs of the Assembly.

    The Speaker said: “Death is an inevitable act. Sir Yakowa was a very good man and he never intruded in our affairs in the House of Assembly, and he never condemned our work, not even once. He always said to us we should live in peace and interact with the people of Kaduna State and bring to them what will benefit them in peace.

    “He was a man of truth. We will look for a place to place his name in our state because he is a legend so he must be remembered forever so as people who want to emulate from his good work can follow through his steps.

    “My advice to the new governor, Dr. Mukthar Ramalan Yero, is that he should be the governor of people, just like the late Yakowa was. He should be there for the people of Kaduna State; he should be alert at all time; he should be ready to accept and take advice from people.”

  • Ekiti Govt lashes PDP over profligacy allegation

    The Ekiti State Government yesterday advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest to stop “peddling falsehood”.

    In a statement, the governor’s media aide, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the people of the state are “too intellectually sophisticated” to be taken in by unfounded lies being spewed by the Southwest PDP, whose arrowheads have been “indicted of electoral fraud by courts”.

    Oyebode described the PDP’s allegation that the state government has spent N250 million on legal fees, street rallies and media campaign on a pending Supreme Court judgment as “laughable, illogical, absurd, diversionary and intended to provide comic relief to a band of political jesters”.

    He said the PDP spent huge state resources to sustain a stolen mandate during its three-and-half year illegal occupation of the Government House.

    Describing the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration as the most accountable in the state’s history, Oyebode said the N250 million allegation only exists in the PDP’s imagination.

    He said the passage of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law and the Fiscal Responsibility Law showed that the administration is accountable and transparent.

    Oyebode said with the FoI Law in operation, Southwest PDP and its agents need not source for information through the backdoor.

    He said: “There are procedures for the approval of funds for projects, which are appropriated by the House of Assembly through the annual budgets. As admitted by the PDP, money approved was actually budgeted for the projects and due process was followed to the letter.”

     

     

     

     

  • Hurricane Sandy lashes New York

    Hurricane Sandy lashes New York

    The city that never sleeps resembled one that clearly does.

    Even Lady Liberty seemed to doze yesterday as she faded in and out of view, shrouded in mist swirling over the whitecaps of New York’s harbour as Hurricane Sandy crept closer to the city. On land, streets that normally are jammed at the start of the workweek were nearly deserted save for emergency workers and gawkers who couldn’t resist watching the rivers, the harbour and the sea rise around them.

    “I don’t think the flood is really going to get all the way to our apartment,” Nicholas Martin said hopefully — and a bit uncertainly — as he stood at the end of a street that drops off into the harbor, in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. He sipped a cup of coffee and watched water rippling in from the harbor and spreading over the street. It crept up the side of a brick warehouse on the avenue, and around a telephone pole, tiny waves rippling in the wind.

    His friend, Malinda Brown, said the pair had briefly considered evacuating but opted to stay put, convinced they would be safe. They weren’t regretting their decision, at least not yet. Farther up the street, though, others apparently had had a change of heart. Three people hastily piled suitcases and bundles of belongings into a pickup truck and drove off.

    With Sandy’s full impact still several hours away, sporadic blackouts were beginning, from New Jersey to Connecticut. On suburban Long Island, 54,000 people were without electricity by midday. More than 52,000 people had lost power in New Jersey, and 25,000 were in the dark in Connecticut.

    The morning’s high tide sent water washing over some oceanfront boardwalks, parking lots, residential avenues and heavily traveled thoroughfares. Speed limits on bridges were reduced to as low as 20 mph as winds picked up. The gusts proved too much for a construction crane atop a building in midtown Manhattan, at 7th Avenue and West 57th Street. It toppled over and was left dangling in the wind, dozens of stories above the streets, prompting officials to close off the area. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

    Officials in Manhattan closed large sections of FDR Drive, which skirts the eastern edge of the island, because of flooding. On Manhattan’s southern tip, in Battery Park, workers piled additional sandbags after the harbor surged over the walkway along the water.

    The evening tide was expected to be far higher, and the one after that — early Tuesday — higher yet. The Holland Tunnel linking Manhattan to New Jersey, and the Hugh Carey Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel that connects lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, were closed because of potential flooding, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the city would face a second day of virtual shutdown Tuesday.

    Schools were to remain closed, Bloomberg said, and the New York Stock Exchange would also stay dark. Subways were expected to remain closed as well.

    “You can look outside and say, ‘Oh, this is not bad.’ That’s correct, but it is going to be,” Bloomberg said as he pleaded, yet again, for the roughly 375,000 New York City residents living in flood-prone areas to heed mandatory evacuation orders.

    The city set up more than 70 emergency shelters to accommodate people who had no friends or relatives to stay with, but only about 3,000 people had registered at the centers.

    That number seemed likely to rise, if the scene at Seward Park High School in Manhattan was anything to go by. As Sandy neared landfall and as rain began pelting streets nearly devoid of the usual signs of city life, people began streaming into the shelter, pushing suitcases and hampers filled with belongings and often leading small children by the hand.

    “I expect a big rush later,” said Don West, deputy chief of the Community Emergency Response Team, as two women accompanied by three children checked themselves in. Cots — 900 of them — filled the school’s two gymnasiums and lined the second-floor hallways. At least 450 had filled up since the shelter opened Sunday night. “I don’t know where the overflow goes,” said West.

    In the school’s auditorium, evacuees sat like bored students at an assembly, watching a small TV blare more Sandy updates as they busied themselves with Sudoko games and crossword puzzles.

    Lillian Ward sat on a blue cot inside a gymnasium, hopeful that Monday would be her last of two nights there. Ward lives in one of the city’s 26 public housing developments in mandatory evacuation zones, and she left after the city warned that it would shut off hot water and power — including elevator service — in those buildings to ensure people left.

    “They came and knocked on everybody’s door Sunday,” said Ward, who felt she had no option: She lives on the ninth floor of her building and didn’t want to be stuck there in the dark, having to climb the stairs to her apartment.

    Yanira Lassalle also had no choice but to come to the shelter. That’s because she was living in a nearby homeless shelter, which ordered everyone out Sunday.

    “I’d rather be at the other shelter. At least we have our own rooms there,” said Lassalle, gazing out across a room full of mainly women and children. She was skeptical about the storm’s potential impact, even as the sky darkened outside. “If it was going to be that bad, it would’ve been bad already,” she said.

    Ward disagreed. “I’m not taking any chances. I just want to wait it out,” she said.